Car Review: 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid5

High fives for BMW's ActiveHybrid5

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid5 doesn't look much different that its gas-powered siblings, but what is under the hood is another story

Kevin Mio, The Gazette

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid5 doesn't look much different that its gas-powered siblings, but what is under the hood is another story

Kevin Mio, The Gazette

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid5 has plenty of badges in it so you know it's a hybrid.

Kevin Mio, The Gazette

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid5 doesn't look much different that its gas-powered siblings, but what is under the hood is another story

Kevin Mio, The Gazette

When you think of hybrid vehicles, generally speaking, performance is not the first word that comes to mind.

But BMW has added that to its lexicon when it comes to the 2012 ActiveHybrid5, and with good reason. This isn’t like many other hybrids I have driven, which are generally tame, sedate vehicles that go about their business efficiently.

But the ActiveHybrid5 adds some gusto to the mix, making it fun to drive — which some other hybrids also are, but not quite like this.

You do pay a premium for that performance.

The base price for the ActiveHybrid5 is $69,990, $15,000 more than the gas-powered 5 Series sedan.

The tester was also fitted with options like the $3,500 Executive Package, the $1,900 Technology Package, a $300 BMW Apps Package and standalone features such as comfort seats ($1,000) and the ever-useful heads-up display ($1,500)

That brings the total price tag to $78,190 before freight and preparation are added in.

My Titanium Silver Metallic chariot for the week was a 2012 model, but BMW says the only change made for the 2013 model is an update to the navigation professional system.

Pricing has not changed.

Design

In terms of styling, the hybrid really looks no different than its gasoline-only brethren. The exception to that rule is the ActiveHybrid5 badging on the trunk lid and the body panels right behind the back doors. There’s also special emblems on the door sills and inside on the cup holder cover – so you can remember you are driving a green vehicle before you put your venti latte in its holster.

Back outside, you have the signature BMW grille up front, a strong character line that runs the length of the body and large tail lights – the whole thing capped by dual chrome exhausts.

Sliding back into the cabin, the layout is simple and efficient, which is just fine.

Climate control buttons and knobs are clearly separated from the radio controls, making things easy to operate. And most of the functions can be done through the iDrive system, which becomes easier to navigate with each exposure to it.

In the back, passengers have a good amount of legroom, so they shouldn’t have too much to complain about and ruin an otherwise quiet cabin.

Performance

Now, about that performance hybrid.

What’s under the hood is not your typical powertrain for hybrid systems.

It starts with a powerful BMW TwinPower Turbo straight six-cylinder engine, which is paired with a TwinScroll turbocharger with Valvetronic, double-VANOS and high-precision injection. That setup is, for the first time, then mated to a 54-horsepower electric motor.

Combined, the system produces 335 horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque, which is actually more power than you get from the base inline six-cylinder in the 5 Series lineup.

The hybrid’s power is put to the pavement through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a manual mode if you want to take control.

And of course, you can also control the driving dynamics of the ActiveHybrid5 via a switch on the centre console. The settings go from Sport+ and Sport all the way down to the hybrid exclusive setting of EcoPro, which really puts the hybrid system to good use.

A bonus of the EcoPro mode is that the car can shut down the engine and coast at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Fuel efficiency on the ActiveHybrid5 is rated at 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, and 6.6 L/100 km on the highway. My average came in at 10.2 L/100 km while doing mostly highway driving.

Driving/utility

Behind the wheel, if you aren’t paying attention to the gauges and systems working away in front of you, chances are you will be hard-pressed to know when the ActiveHybrid5 is switching between power options.

That’s for two reasons: the systems transition fairly seamlessly, and the passenger cabin is well shielded from outside noise.

The heads-up display is a welcome feature and one I would like to see on more vehicles.

As for storage, you take a bit of a hit in the ActiveHybrid5 because of the battery pack in the trunk area. Instead of the 18.4 cubic feet of space in the basic 5 Series sedans, the hybrid version has 13.2 cubic feet, which is still a decent enough amount.

Overall, I thought the ActiveHybrid5 was a solid package, but I have to wonder how it will be received by consumers given the higher price point and really not much saving in fuel — at least from the way I and most people drive. Optimum performance from a hybrid demands an altered driving style than most Canadians are used to. And with the ActiveHybrid5’s performance penchant, I am not sure people will be ready to rein in those ponies.